Biting Bad: A Chicagoland Vampires Novel (14 page)

He released the woman and picked up the girl, holding her close, the love in his eyes obvious. My own bloomed with tears. It wasn’t often that vampires displayed such human affection.

Vampires couldn’t have children, but there was definitely something familial between Scott and these humans.

“I wasn’t aware Scott had a significant other,” Ethan whispered. “Much less a human one.”

“That’s Ava,” Jonah said. “He doesn’t tell many. He doesn’t want them to be used against him, or for them to be seen as a liability.”

“Darius would not be thrilled,” Ethan agreed. “He has no great fondness for humans.”

“No, he doesn’t. That also figures in.”

“I’d like to get back to the House,” Ethan said. “We’ll need to oversee arrangements.” He glanced at the sky. “A few hours yet until sunrise, but there’s much to do.”

“We’ll get there before the sun rises,” Jonah said.

Ethan nodded. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to speak with Scott for a moment.” As we watched, Ethan walked away and greeted Ava and the children, then chatted with Scott.

“Were you able to salvage any of your stuff?” I asked Jonah.

“Yeah, most of my gear is fine. Waterlogged and smoky, but intact. We’ll get it cleaned up. It’ll just take time.”

A vampire stepped into the hole in the front of Grey House, glanced around, and beckoned Jonah.

“They need me,” he said. “I imagine I’ll be seeing you later tonight.”

“Vampire sleepover,” I agreed. “We’ll provide the sleeping bags.”

“Bras in the freezer and shaving cream in the palm,” Jonah said. “It’s going to be a fun night.”

Or a long one. We’d see how it went.

I took a glance at the building, trying to determine the extent of the damage, but it was difficult to tell in the dark. If the fire had been contained to the atrium, the vamps could move back in as soon as the roof and its complicated mechanics were fixed. If the rooms also had been damaged, they’d be bunking with us a little while longer. We’d deal either way.

But one thing concerned me: Double the vampires in Cadogan House meant double the targets if the rioters struck again. We were basically piling everyone they wanted to kill in a single building.

“You all right?”

I nearly jumped at the sound of Ethan’s voice, and I was relieved to see him behind me. “Yeah. Just wondering how much worse this is going to get before it gets better.”

“It’s always darkest before the dawn,” he mused.

I wasn’t looking forward to any more darkness.

—

Ethan drove Moneypenny home. I fell asleep in the car, exhausted by the night’s emotional turmoil and the loss of blood. Vampires might heal quickly, but that didn’t mean the wound didn’t take a toll on our bodies. I’d been stressed and assaulted, and while I’d end up as whole as I’d been before it, I needed a break.

Hyde Park was quiet, the violence of the city’s north side irrelevant here. The House glowed warm and golden, a beacon in the cold and unfeeling night.

We pulled into the garage and made our way to the first floor, where Margot manned a newly organized reception area. A giant silver tureen of hot chocolate sat beside one of warmed blood, and Helen, the House’s den mother, was stationed behind a table already outfitted with a
WELCOME, GREY HOUSE NOVITIATES!
sign, welcome packets, and bags of toiletries and necessities.

“She is ridiculously fast,” I remarked as we surveyed the setup.

“She is impeccably organized and efficient,” Ethan agreed. “Did you know I stole her away from a former U.S. president? She was his social secretary.”

“I presume you offered a signing bonus and immortality?” I asked with a smile.

“I did.”

Luc emerged from the staircase, already wearing clean clothes, his face scrubbed of ash and soot. “Lindsey’s at the gate with a list of Grey House vamps. Easier if she handles it, because she can ensure they’re vampires without requiring them to vamp out.”

“Good call,” Ethan said. “Scott and the others should be here shortly. The ballroom is prepared?”

“And the library, much to the librarian’s chagrin,” Luc said. “We’ve got cots assembled and dividers up. They give a bit of privacy, at least. It will get them through sunrise.”

“That’s all we need to do,” Ethan said. “I think I’d like to change clothes, and Merit will probably want a shower.” They both looked at me, and I glanced down at the jacket I’d destroyed over the course of the evening. It looked even worse in the House than it had outside. Including the gash across the front, the leather bore patches of rust, probably scrapes from the fire escape, and flecks where sparks had nearly burned through it. Frankly, I looked like the victim of a zombie attack.

“I will definitely want a shower and change of clothes,” I agreed.

Luc squeezed Ethan’s shoulder. “Get cleaned up. We’ll get everyone settled in. Probably also a good idea to get all the guards together to discuss protocol before sunrise.”

Ethan checked his watch. “Very good idea. Let’s say an hour, Ops Room?”

“You got it, boss. Hey, take care of our Sentinel this time, will you?”

“I’ll do my best,” Ethan said. “But I’m not sure even Merit could manage to get into trouble between here and the third floor.”

Stranger things had happened.

—

We climbed the stairs, my legs heavy and achy like I’d just finished a marathon. I gripped the rail, pulling myself up one stair at a time.

Ethan did not look impressed by my efforts.

“I think the blood loss took a toll,” I said.

“Yes, the laceration and your utter unconsciousness clued me in to that.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “You sound like me. Maybe sarcasm can be transmitted by blood.”

“God forbid,” Ethan said. “You’ve more than enough for both of us.”

“Would it be wrong to wear pajamas to a guard meeting?”

“It would be inappropriate,” Ethan said. “But I think you’re more than excused from leathers or a suit tonight.”

“Sweatpants?”

“You’re dating the Master of the House.”

I took that as a “no” on the sweatpants.

I made it up the stairs, and he opened the doors to the apartments. The lights had been turned on, a tray of blood and healthy snacks on the side table. Luc must have given Margot a call about my unfortunate encounter with the chef’s knife. Maybe, as House chef, she felt bad about the choice of weapon.

The snack called to me, but the shower called louder. I turned on the shower and peeled away my dingy clothes. I pulled off the jacket and placed it across the vanity. It had been a birthday gift from Mallory only days after I’d become a vampire and been appointed Sentinel of Cadogan House. It had been through a lot in the last ten months, and I wasn’t keen to part with it.

“You’re all right?” Ethan asked, stepping into the room.

I gestured toward the jacket and smiled sadly. “I hope Mallory got a good deal on this jacket. I’m afraid it’s toast.”

“This is Chicago. There are other leather jackets to be found.”

“I know. But this one was meaningful. It was a gift—and it was before Nebraska.”

“So much was,” Ethan said. “I doubt Mallory will fault you for destroying it tonight. She’ll be glad it protected you. At least somewhat.”

I nodded. “In fairness, I didn’t mean to destroy it. I got dragged into someone else’s war.”

“Isn’t that always the way?” Ethan said philosophically. “I don’t mean to be dismissive of your melancholy, but we’re short on time. Shower, please. I’m going to give Breckenridge a call while you’re underwater.”

I didn’t argue about either option. When I was naked, I climbed into the shower. The water was deliciously hot, but it stung the gash across my stomach. The wound was closed, but it had now begun to ache and itch as it healed.

I scrubbed blood and dirt and ash from my pale skin, then emerged from the shower and towel-dried my hair.

Ethan stepped into the doorway. “Now that’s more like it.”

“Sir, you’re a dirty old man.”

“I’m a dirty old
vampire
. There’s a difference.”

Since time was of the essence, we switched places. I turned the shower over to Ethan, deposited my clothes in the laundry drop—maybe the staff could have some luck rehabbing the jacket—and headed back into the bedroom to find something appropriate to wear. Sweatpants and pajamas were out, but Ethan hadn’t mentioned jeans. Personally, I’d have preferred some slouchy yoga-style pants, but the meeting would be in mixed company, and I might as well try not to embarrass my boss in front of another House.

I opted for the softest jeans I could find and a fitted Cadogan House long-sleeved shirt. I brushed and dried my hair, leaving it loose. A pair of much-loved Puma sneakers—too light to wear in winter, but perfect for in-House movement—and lip gloss to combat the effects of winter, and I was ready to go downstairs.

“Ready?” he asked, meeting me at the door. Like me, he’d changed into jeans, but the relaxed dress didn’t minimize the power and authority in his posture. He was still the Master of his House, even when other Masters had moved into his abode.

“Let’s go,” I said, then glanced back longingly at the bed and the cozy duvet and pillows. “I’ll see you again soon,” I promised, and closed the door behind us.

—

As we descended the stairs, we passed Grey House vampires heading upstairs. They carried large duffel bags bearing the Grey House logo, and they were led by Cadogan House vampires wearing black
CADOGAN AMBASSADOR
badges.

“Cadogan ambassadors?” I asked Ethan.

“Helen’s idea. She thought it a good idea to appoint vampires to represent the House at unusual functions. She expected we’d have more of those functions since we’re no longer part of the GP. She did not anticipate this, I imagine, but it’s helpful all the same. Actually,” he said, pausing on the second-floor landing, “let’s visit the ballroom and library. I’m curious how they’ve arranged the beds.”

We walked down the hallway toward two of the House’s most glorious rooms—the very grand ballroom, and the two-story library. The doors to both were open, and Grey House vampires were beginning to stream inside.

We hit the library first. Normally, a bank of tables filled the center of the main floor. Tonight, they’d been moved out of the way. That space, and the rows between the shelves, were filled with cots. Cotton dividers hung from simple racks in the open areas to provide privacy.

“There are too many vampires breathing on my books in here.”

We turned to find the librarian, shorter than either of us and with a rakishly thick crop of dark hair, giving the evil eye to the Grey House vampires who were arranging suitcases, phones, and shoes in the small spaces around their cots.

“They’re breathing on your books?” I asked.

“Do you know how much carbon dioxide and water a single vampire breathes into the air every day? And now it’s all contained in this room, sinking into my pages.”

The librarian was very, very particular when it came to his job and his books. He prided himself on the scope and organization of the library, and he didn’t take kindly to the exhalations of vampires.

“I’m sure the collection will be fine,” Ethan said. “But, if not, we’ll make sure to set aside House funds for restoration.”

That must have satisfied the librarian, because he disappeared between a row of books without another word.

“He is a particular breed,” Ethan said, and we slipped into the hall again.

The ballroom was similarly decked out, with rows of cots and dividers across the wood floor, the chandeliers above dimmed to cast a gentle glow across the room. A long table had been set up on one side of the room with more toiletries and baskets of bottled water, blood, and snacks.

“Seriously, Helen did an amazing job getting everything arranged so quickly. You should give her a raise.”

Ethan snorted. “Trust me, Sentinel, she doesn’t need one. We had to double her salary after your transition to vampire.”

I slugged him gently in the arm, but I suspected he wasn’t teasing. My change from human to vampire hadn’t exactly been smooth—and Helen, unfortunately for her, had had the unenviable job of welcoming me into the dark. It hadn’t gone smoothly.

Satisfied the Grey House vampires were being cared for, we retreated and continued our journey to the first floor.

We reached the foyer just as Scott, Ava, and the children walked through the door.

“Perfect timing,” Ethan said, striding forward to meet them. “Welcome to Cadogan House. I’m sorry it’s under these circumstances.”

Ava nodded nervously, gathering her children around her. “Thank you for having us.”

“Ditto,” Scott added. “We appreciate the gesture. I know it’s an inconvenience.”

Ethan smiled. “Not at all.” He turned to Helen, who still sat at the greeting station, and gestured to the new arrivals.

“Helen, this is Ava and her children, Abby and Miguel. They are Scott’s particular friends, and they will be staying with us.”

If Helen found anything odd in his announcement, she didn’t show it. In her typically administrative fashion, she checked her clipboard.

“We have the injured vampires in the guest suite, and it will be a bit noisy in the ballroom and library, given the number of vampires. If you’d like, the children can stay in Merit’s old room,” she said, glancing at me.

I nodded my approval, but Ethan interjected.

“That won’t do,” he said. “You can take the Master’s apartment. That way you’ll be able to stay together, with the children. You’ll need space of your own to breathe and plan, and you’ll feel better if you can keep them close?”

Ava nodded with relief.

Ethan looked at Helen. “You can arrange cots for the children?”

“Of course,” she said. “But what about you?”

“We’ll stay in Merit’s old room.”

Since my dorm-sized room had only a twin bed, it would be a squeeze. But Luc and Lindsey managed well enough in her room. Besides, Ethan was right. It wasn’t much of a sacrifice to us, and it would give them all peace of mind.

“Then I offer our thanks,” Scott said.

“Margot, if you’ll take the desk,” Helen said, “I’ll show them the way.” When Margot nodded, Helen gestured toward the stairs with her clipboard and they moved forward. Ethan turned back to me.